Supplier for Hardware

[mags591]

Hello,
Where does everyone purchase their hardware such as AN Bolts and supplies? I am trying to find a source to complete my build and aircraft spruce just seems awfully high and i'm sure there is a better option out there.
Thanks,
Ryan

[bjdecker]

Originally Posted by mags591

Hello,
Where does everyone purchase their hardware such as AN Bolts and supplies? I am trying to find a source to complete my build and aircraft spruce just seems awfully high and i'm sure there is a better option out there.
Thanks,
Ryan

Wicks
Skygeek
https://military-fasteners.com/

[D Weisgerber]

I use Aircraft Spruce or Wicks Aircraft. The best way to save money is on shipping, have a few large orders instead of a lot of small ones. I also never pay for quicker shipping, they are really efficient and get orders out quickly.

[David Paule]

Van's carries a selection, too.

Dave

[Lkitson]

https://www.gen-aircraft-hardware.com/

[Freemasm]

NOT Skygeek. In short summary, they are not (always) ethical. They probably do a lot of purchase/resell.

The basis of my point; they will tell you something is "in stock" then quote many weeks for shipment. When you ask to cancel the order, they charge a "restocking fee" even if it is immediately after receiving the ship date after the bogus promise. This has been experienced by more than one person on VAF. Caveat Emptor.

[RicoB]

+1 against skygeek

[Mile High Relic]

Aircraft Spruce usually seems reasonable to me. I haven't bought any bolts, but I just received an order for mil spec screws, coax connect connectors, etc., and it all seemed very reasonable. 100 count bag of short MS35206 screws for $6. That is about the same as what I pay for cheap hardware at the big box stores.

One thing to be aware of with Spruce is that if you have parts coming from two locations, you'll pay shipping from both. I missed that, and paid $8 to ship that $6 bag of screws from TX. The other $80 worth of stuff came from AZ and shipping that was also $8.

Still, $8 S&H is a bargain these days.

[Ironflight]

And if ACS is out of stock on something, B&B Airparts is another good place to check….

[Sam_B]

Originally Posted by D Weisgerber

I use Aircraft Spruce or Wicks Aircraft. The best way to save money is on shipping, have a few large orders instead of a lot of small ones. I also never pay for quicker shipping, they are really efficient and get orders out quickly.

This is pretty true. Sometimes it’s cheaper (relative to the whole project) to buy stuff you’ll eventually need just to get above the $350 free shipping limit on Spruce. I have bins that hang on the wall and bought a large quantity of washers, screws, rivets, electrical terminals, bolts, nut plates, etc., and put them in there for when I need them. I learned pretty early on that it stinks to pay $8 shipping on $5 of hardware.